09/30/2025
Behind the Stall Walls… Friendship
I took this photo the other night on our way back from a new adventure with some of my students. On the surface, it’s just a group of kids being silly on horses with some good lighting. But it represents so much more.
Yes, we ride horses. Yes, sometimes we compete against each other. Yes, sometimes we have hard rides but riding, owning, loving horses is so much more than the ribbons and the horse shows. Its what this moment captured right here.
What you can’t see in this picture is the history behind each rider. One student’s pony is resting from a stifle injury. One student rides a pony who once bore the scars of abuse. Another student lost her beloved pony to a tragic pasture accident. Another’s horse is retired, unlikely to return from her current injury.
This summer has been tough... one of the hardest we’ve faced. After years of smooth sailing, it felt like everything came crashing down at once. More than once, I asked myself, “Why am I doing this?”
And then I got to sit back and see this scene live in person from the back of a horse.
These kids keep showing up. They keep showing resilience, no matter what they’ve been through. They remind me that our barn is more than a place to ride, it’s a safe space. A place where you’re celebrated at your best and supported at your worst. A place where friendship grows, no matter the circumstances.
This is why I keep doing this. This is the kind of love that lasts far beyond any arena.
